Hand lift truck



G. QUAYLE HAND LIFT TRUCK March 8, 1938.

Fiied March 18, 195e 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY March 8, 1938. G, QUAYLE2,110,424

' HAND LIFT TRUCK Filed March 18, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JVENTCR CV 60%ATTORNEY March s, 193s. G. QUAYLE 2,110,424

HAND LIFT TRUCK Filed March 18, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYPatented Mar. 8, 1938 HAND TRUCK George Quayle, Philadelphia, Pa.,assigner to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company. Stam. ford, Conn., acorporation of Connecticut Application March is, 193s, serial No. 69,478

26 Claims.

by the truck, the load being mounted on pallets' and therefore requiringa low extending type of overhanging fork load frame for its handling. Mytruck is especially adapted for handling rela-7 tively heavy sheets oftin plate stored on pallets, and forthis purpose I use forks movableinto a very low position and adapted to be elevated to a positionwherein the load may be transported'.

It will be readily appreciated that the placing of a relatively heavycompact loaden overhanging forks upsets the normal balance of a truck ofthe class described, so that it will tip readily when accepting the loadand will be incapable of transporting the load, even should it bepossible to actuallylift the load. My invention relates especially tomeans for facilitating the lifting of mounted on a relatively light handlift truck, and to means for thereafter facilitating the moving of theload on the truck.

, Before describing in detail my truck, it may be well to indicategenerally the basic operating principles thereof, and toindicate'generally the Y characteristics of the features whereby it ismade to operate efficiently.

` Preferably, my truck comprises a main frame having at its front end alifting mechanism which may be of any type well known in the art, butwhich I prefer to be of the type shown in the Stuebing patent, No.1,785,368. This lifting mechanism is connected to a lifting frame, whichin this case, is 'preferably a pair of forks which, are to be liftedrelatively to the main frame, but which need not actually be evenconnected to the main frame. A presser foot is adaptedvfor co` operationwith the lifting frame, or the forks, as

a relatively heavy load on overhanging forks" 'of the truck. Theliftingforks are preferably.

' supported relatively to the main frame by the presser foot, so thatany load imposed on the forks will immediately move the presser footinto a downward position against the ground. The lifting mechanism atthe front end of the truck is interconnected to the presser foot andlifting forks so that it tends to separate the two on operation of thelifting mechanism. This, of course, acts to elevate the forks and theload."

As a further feature of my invention, the forward load supporting wheelsof the truck are mounted for lateral movement relatively to the truckonce the lifting forks have been elevated and the load assumed by thepresser foot. As a further feature, the main frame itself is actuallyelevated relatively to the presser foot so as to relieve the forwardwheels of the load. Then, the operator need only move the wheelslaterally into a. position directly under the elevating forks, whichwill of course still be supported by the presser foot. If now thelifting mechanism be released as described in the Stuebing patent, thelifting forks will come down into a lower position against supportingmeans associated with the load wheels, thus relieving the presser footof the load. Thereafter, the springs which maintain the presser foot inan upper -position will be free tomove the presser foot into the Asaidupper. position, land the truck may then be moved freely.

There are, of course, further features of the invention which I shalldescribe in more detail hereinafter.' I believe my invention to be of avery basic nature, and I do not wish to be limited to any particularmodification, but rather believe myself entitled to broad claims and abroad interpretationv of those claims.

Fora detailed description of my invention, I shall now refer to thedrawings wherein Fig. 1 is a partial section along lines I-I of Fig. 4.Fig. 2 isa view of the forward portion of the truck shown in Fig. l,with the lifting forks in an elevated position and with the load beingsupported byl the presser foot. Fig. 3 is a vlew of that portion of thetruck shown in Fig. 2 with the load wheels moved to a position under thelifting forks, and 'with the lifting forks supported thereby formovement.V Fig. 4 is -a top view of the parts of Fig.- 1 with the checkeliminated for purposes of v clarity. Fig. 5v is va view taken alonglines 'S4- 5 of Fig. l. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of the.presser foot, thelifting forks and the mov-fv ing handle` I2 andsteering wheels Il. all of which operate as described in the Steubingpatent supra. In Fig. 5, I show some of the mechanism of the steeringhead II, the main portion of this `mechanism being the lifting ratchetwheel I4,

which is operated by pumping movement of the handle I2 and actuates thelifting mechanism through a pair of crank arms I5. Since this mechanismis old in the art and does not form a part of my invention, I shallnaturally not go into further detail in describing it. Suflice it to saythat this type of lifting mechanism, or any type well known in the art,may quite well cooperate with the features of my inventi'onpin a 2|.Earsj22 are similarly formed'at the lowerl portion of the member I8 ofthe presser foot, and links 23 pivotedto the main frame at 24 connectthe ears 22 to the main frame. The presser foot has a further pairofears25 ca rrying a horizontal member 26, drilled atv 21 for cooperation withsprings 28. These springs are suspended from an 'L-shaped member 28 onthe main frame, and thus resiliently support the presser foot relativelyto the' main frame in its pomtion illustrated in Fig. 1.

The lifting frameispreferably in the form of forks 30, having verticalportions Il connected by a horizontal bracing member 32, and a furtherbracing member 3l.` Lower ears 34 are secured t to thevvertical portionsII and these ears are' connected to the main frame` I Il through meansof links 35,*which links are pivoted to the main` frame `on the axis 24,or the same axis on which the links 23 -'o f the presser foot arepivoted. Similarly, the vertical portions 8l have upper ears 36carrying'links I1 pivoted to the main frame through shaft 2I,'which isthe same shaft that supportsv the link 20 of the presser foot.

While,- of course, I have shown the lifting forks pivoted to the mainframe on the same axis as the presser foot, it should be understood thatit maybe'pivoted on vother axes or otherwise' supported relatively tothe presser foot itself. While the basic relationship of the presserfoot and forks should preferably be that herein described, this basicrelationship may take any number of ydlil'erent forms.

A check member Il of the ,fluid type well known in this art is connectedto the upper horizontal bracing member 3l of the forks at 33a, and atits lower end to the bracket 88 fixed on the'mem- Yber I8 of the presserfoot, as is shown in Fig. 5.

This check acts to slow down the movement between the lifting forksl andthe presser foot, as will be readily understood by those skilled in theart. n

Each of the ears 25 of the presser foot is drilled 4out as at 4l for thesupport of the shaft 4I, at

each end of which is mounted an arm 42 connected by pivot 48 with a pairof link members 44. best illustrated in Fis. 5. Each pair of linkmembers 44 is in turn pivoted at 45 toeach of the .l bell crank arms I5of the lifting mechanism. in-A cluding the ratchet I4 maintained inlifting head II Each of thebellcrank levers 42 is connected, through apivot 48, with a link 41 pivoted at 44 to one of the lower ears 84 ofthe lifting forks 8l.

It will readily be appreciated by viewing F188. 1 and 2 that when thebell crank arms Il are rotated clockwise by operation of the liftinghandie I2,'the bell crank 42 will be rotated clockwise through itsconnection with the links 44, thus lifting the forks III relatively tothe presser foot I5 by, in effect, separating the presser foot and thelifting forks in a manner well shown in Fig. 2. In effect, the toggleincluding pivot 40 on the presser foot and pivot 48 of the liftingforks, and

members 42 and 21, is straightened for obtaining the movement justdescribed. Should there be no loadon the lifting forks 30, this movementof the lifting forks relatively to the presser foot may be mere relativemovement without the presser foot actually coming in contact with theground. However, if there is a load, such as "A" of Fig.V 2, on thelifting forks 30, then that load will'be accepted by the .presser footI8 which will move with its presser feet I1 into a position against theground and against the resilient force of springs 28. This movement willoccur immediately upon the application of 'load A" to the forks 30.Thereafter, operation of the lifting" mechanism will tend to separatethe lifting forks vfrom the presser foot more and more until the load isfully elevated, as shown in Fig. 2.

The main frame I Il of the truck is equipped with lugs 49 cooperablewith lugs 50 on the lifting forks so that when the lifting forks reachthe position of Fig. 2, the main frame III is elevated by the forksrelatively to the presser feet I1.

.'I'his moves the frame from a position wherein it rests on supportingportions 50 carried by frame members 5I, which in turn carry the loadwheels 52, through means of the axle 5l. 'Ihe frame members 5I of theload wheels 52 are-movable' laterally-from the position illustrated inHg. 1 to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, through means of a lever 54pivoted to the frame members 5I at 55, andpivoted at 58 to the mainframe I0, and having a relatively long extending portion 51 whereby themoving leverage may be obtained.

With the load elevated as in Fig. 2, and with the main frame no longerresting on the upper surfaces of the members 50, the frame members 5Imay be moved from.the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3v withvery.little eifort on the Ipart of theoperator, by merely rotating thelever manner well known in the art, and best described4 in the Stuebingpatent previously referred to,

the forks 30 will tend to descend, checked of.

course by the member 38 until they rest on the `member 50 supported bythe frame 5I and'load `wheels 52, as is well-illustrated in Fig. 3. As

soon as the members 50 accept the load of the forks 30, the springs 28'will no longer be stressed by the load and they willact to pull thepresser foot I6 upwardly so as to remove the presser feet -I1 from theground.

' The presser feet I1 have lug portions Il and Il. The lugs 58 cooperatewith the axle 58 in the potain it relatively rigid. Similarly. in Fig. 3the lugs 59 cooperate with the axle for maintaining it relatively rigid.

I believe that thev operation of my n simon or the parts iuustrated niFig. rana mlns" now be relatively clear to those skilled in the art, butit may be well to go through one complete operation in order to evenbetter clari its action.

In the initial position of the truck, the forks 30 constitutingthelifting platform are in the position of Fig. 1, and the main frame issupported on members 50, while the axle 53 is held in position bycooperationv with the lugs 58 on the presser feet I1, the presser footbeing maintained in an upper position with the feet off the groundthrough means of springs 28. Operation of the lifting handle I2 servesto rotate the crank arms I5 which in turn pull on the'links 44 androtate thebell cranks 42 for moving the lifting forks relatively to thepresser foot. If there is a load on the forks sufficient to overcome thesprings 28, that load will naturally be transferred` to the presserfoot, which will move through its links 20 and 23 relatively to the mainframe into the position of Fig. 2 with the feet II against the ground.'Thereafter, further operation of the lifting handle I2 will elevate theforks to the position of Fig. 2 and will at the same time, through thecoaction of lugs 49 and 50, move the main frame I 0 off* its support onthe members 50. At this point, the portions of check 38 Will reach afully outstretched position' ready to absorb the movement of the loaddownwardly with the lifting forks when the elevating mechanism in thehead II is released.

If it is desired to move the load A of Fig. 2, it is merely necessary toapply effort to the extension 51 of the member 54 and rotate that memberagainst the force of spring 54a from the position of Fig. 1 to theposition of Fig. 2, wherein the wheels 52 wi" be positioned under theload forks 30. If the lifting mechanism in the head II is then released,the forks will descend slowly under the control of the check 38 untilthey rest on the members 50. Thereafter, the load being taken off thepresser foot I6, the presser foot will rise under the inuence of springs28 until its lugs 59 abut the axle 53 for holding the axle in position.'Incidentally. in this position of the parts, the'spring 54a. will actalso to hold the lever 51 and therefore the wheel assembly in its Iproper operating position.

I now claim: 1. In a lift truck of the class described, a main frame, aload liftingframe, elevating means on said main frame, toggle means, ineffect, operated by said elevating means for elevating said load liftingframe relatively to said main frame, and means movable against theground and into truck'stabilizing position actuable incidental to theelevating of said load lifting frame.

2. In a lift truck of the class described, a main frame', a forwardlyextending load lifting frame supported by said main frame, means forelevating said load lifting frame relatively to said main frame, pressermeans movable against the ground incidental to the elevating `of a loadand said load lifting frame by said elevating means whereby to preventtipping of said truck, a longitudinally movable wheeled frame normallyunder said main frame, means whereby said wheeled frame is moved to aposition under said lifting frame when said frame is elevated, wherebysaid wheeled frame supports said lifting frame when said lifting frameis lowered thereafter.

3. In a liftvtruck of the classdescribed, a main frame, a Wheeledsupporting frame for said main frame normally under said main frame, afor wardly extending load lifting frame, .means mounting said liftingframe for movement relatively to said main frame, means for elevatingsaid load lifting frame relatively to said main frame, a presser footfor said lifting frame, means whereby the said presser foot assumes aload imposed on said lifting frame and moves against the ground insupporting relation to said lifting frame when a load is applied to saidlifting frame and lifted, said wheeled supporting frame being thusrelieved of the weight of said main and load lifting frames, and meanswhereby said wheeled frame is moved under-said load lifting framewhereby to support said lifting frame independently of said presser footwhen said liftingframe is lowered thereafter.

4. In a' lift truck of the class described, a main frame, a load-lifting frame, means for velevating said load lifting frame relativelyto said main frame, means mounting said lifting frame 'for liftingmovement relatively to said main frame, a presser foot for said liftingframe, means whereby said presser foot assumes a load imposed on saidlifting frame and moves against the l ground in supporting relation tosaid lifting frame whereby to support a load on said lifting against theground in supporting relation to said lifting frame, means whereby saidlifting means separate said load lifting frame from said presser footwhereby to lift said lifting frame, and Wheels carried by said mainframe movable under said lifting frame when said frame is elevated,whereby to assume the load and relieve said presser foot therefrom.

6. In a lift truck of the class described, a main frame. a load liftingframe, lifting means on said main frame for elevating said load liftingframe, a presser foot for assuming substantially the load and the weightof said load lifting frame when the said frame is elevatedby saidlifting means,

means whereby said presser foot is maintained spaced from the groundwhen said lifting frame is not in load assuming position, and meanswhereby said presser foot moves against the ground upon the assumptionof a load .by said lifting frame.y

7. In a lift truck of the classdescribed, a relatively short main frame,Wheels supporting said frame, lifting forks pivoted to said main frameat its forward end, a presser foot also pivoted to said main frame atits forward end, lifting means carried by said main frame and soconnected to said presser foot and said lifting forks as t'o separatesaid presser foot and lifting forks when operated, for lifting saidforks through said presser foot, a

. spring, means whereby said spring holds said lifting forks and saidpresser foot in an elevated po-I 'sition until a load is applied to saidforks whereforward` end, a load lifting frame adapted to be elevatedrelatively to said presser foot and said main frame, liftingfmeans soconnected to said presser foot and load lifting frame as to separatethem when operated andthus elevate the load liftingframe through saidpresser foot, whereby when a load is applied to said lifting frame andsaid lifting means are actuated, said presser foot is forced against theground and thereafter Supports the load lifting frame as said frame isseparated from said presser foot.

9. In a lift truck ofthe class described, a main iframe,- wheelssupporting said frame, a presser foot pivoted relatively to said mainframe' at its forward end, a load lifting frame supported by and adaptedto be elevated relatively to said presser foot and said main frame,lifting means so connected to said presser foot and load lifting frameas to separate them when operated and thus elevate the load liftingframe through said presser foot. whereby when a load is applied to saidlifting frame and said lifting means are acmain frame at its forwardend, a load lifting v tuated said presser footis forced against theground and thereafter supports the load lifting frame as said frame isseparated from said presser foot, and a spring for maintaining said loadlifting frame and presser foot in an elevated position until a load isapplied toV said frame suillcient to force the presser foot against theground in opposition to said spring.

10. In a lift truck of the class' described, a

main frame, wheels supporting said frame, av

presser foot pivoted relatively to said main frame at its forward end, aload lifting frame adapted to be elevated relatively to said presserfoot and said main frame, lifting means carried by said main frame andso connected to said presser foot and load lifting frame as to separatethem when operated and thus elevate the load lifting frame through saidpresser foot; whereby when a load is applied to said lifting frame andsaid lifting means are actuated said presser foot is forced against theground and thereafter supports the load lifting frame as said frame isseparated from said presser foot, supporting wheels normally mountedunder the main frame of said truck, means for moving said wheels underthe load `lifting frame when said frame is elevated to a predeterminedposition relatively to the presser foot then maintainedagainst theground, and means movable with said wheels and on which said loadlifting frame may then be lowered to apply the load to said wheels andremove it from saidpresser foot.

11. In a lift truck of the'class described, arelatively short mainvframe, wheels supporting said frame, a presser foot pivoted relativelyto said frame adapted to be elevated relatively to said presser foot andsaid main frame. lifting meansI carried by said main frame and soconnected to said presser foot and load lifting frame as to sep,

arate them when operated and elevate the load lifting frame through saidpresser foot, whereby for moving said wheels under the load liftingframe when said frame is elevated to apredetermined position relativelyto said presser foot then maintained against the ground, and meansmovable with said Wheels and on which said loadl lifting frame may thenbe lowered to apply the load to said wheels and remove itl from saidpresser foot so that said presser foot is lifted oil.' the ground bysaid spring means to permit the truck to be moved to transport the load.

12. In a lift truck of the class described, a relatively short mainframe, lifting forks pivoted to said main frame at its forward end, apresser foot also pivoted to said main frame at its forwardend,liftingm'eansl carried by said main frame and so kconnected to saidpresser foot and said lifting forks as to ,separate them when operatedand thus lift the said forks through said presser foot, a spring, meanswhereby said spring holds said lifting forks and said presser foot in anelevated position until a, load is applied to said forks whereupon saidpresser foot is forced against the ground and thereafter supports theload lifting forks as said forks are separated from said presser foot byactuation of said lifting means, supporting Wheels normally mountedunder the short main frame of said truck, l means for moving said wheelsunder the load lifting forks when said f forks are' elevated to apredetermined position relatively to the presser foot then maintainedagainst the ground. and means movable with said wheels and on which saidliftingl fprks may then be lowered to apply the load to said wheels andremove it from said presser foot so that said presser foot is lifted oi!the ground by said spring means to permit the truck to be moved totransport the load. l

`13. In a lift truck of the class described, a

relatively short mainframe, a presser foot plv-,l

oted to said main frame at it's forward end, a load lifting frameadapted to be elevated relatively to said presser foot and said mainframe, lifting means carried by said` main frame and so connected tosaid presser foot and load lifting frame' as to separate them whenoperated and elevate the load lifting frame through said presser foot,'whereby when a load is applied to said lifting frame and said liftingmeansare actuated said presser foot is forced jagainst the ground andthereafter supports the load lifting frame as said frame is separatedfrom said presser foot, supporting wheels normally mounted under the'short main frame of said truck, means for moving said wheels under theloadlifting frame when said frame is elevatedto a predetermined positionrelatively to the presserl foot then maintained against the ground,means movable with said' wheels on which said loadlifting frame may thenbe lowered to apply'the load .to said wheels and remove it from saidpresser foot, and means on said presser foot for stabilizing saidwheels.

14. In a lift truck of the class described, a

` relatively short main frame, wheelsv supporting said frameat its rearend, wheels supporting said frame at its forward end, apresser footpivoted to said main frame at its forward end, a load lifting frameadapted to be elevated relatively to said presser foot and said 'mainframe, lifting means carried by said main traine and so oonneeted tosaid presser foot and load lifting frame as to separate them whenoperated and thus elevate the load lifting frame through said presserfoot, whereby when a load is applied to said lifting frame andvsaidlifting means are actuated saidpresserfootisforoedaglinstthesrwndmdthereafter supports the load lifting frame as said lifting frame isseparated from said presser foot, means whereby continuous operation ofsaid lifting means lifts the main frame also relatively to on which saidload lifting frame may then be lowered to apply the load to said wheelsand remove it from said presser foot.

15. In a lift truck of the class described, a relatively short mainframe, wheels supporting` said frame at its' rear end, wheels supportingsaid frame at its forward end, a presser foot pivoted to said main frameat its forward end, a load lifting frame adapted to be elevatedrelatively to said presser foot and said main frame, lifting meanscarried by said main frame and so connected to said presser foot andload lifting frame as to separate them when operated and elevate theload lifting frame through said presser foot, whereby when a load isapplied to said lifting frame and said lifting means are actuated saidpresser foot is forced against the ground and thereafter supports theload lifting frame as said lifting frame is separated from said presserfoot, means whereby continuous operation of said lifting means lifts themain frame also relatively to said presser foot so as to relieve thewheels at the forward end of any load, a, spring for maintaining saidload lifting frame and presser foot in an elevated position until a loadis applied to said frame sufficient to force the presser foot againstthe ground in opposition to said spring, means for moving said wheels atthe forward end under the load lifting forks when said forks and saidmain frame are elevated to a predetermined position relatively to thepresser foot then maintained against the ground, means movable 4withsaid wheels and on which said load lifting frame may then be lowered toapply the load to said wheels and remove it from said presser foot sothat said presser foot is lifted oif the ground by said spring means topermit the truck to be moved to transport the load.

16. In a lift truck of the class described, a main frame, rearsupporting wheels on said main frame, forward supporting wheels for saidframe movable laterally relatively thereto, said frame resting normallyon means supported by said wheels, means for lifting the main frame soas 4[to relieve the forward supporting wheels of the weight thereof, andmeans for then moving said wheels laterally relatively to said mainframe to change the truck wheel base.

1'7. In a ,lift truck of the class described, a

vmain frame, a load lifting frame, lifting means for elevating said loadlifting frame, a presser foot for said load lifting frame, means wherebythe lifting means separates said presser foot from said load liftingframe and forces said foot -against the ground to support said loadlifting' frame for elevating movement by said lifting means, supportingwheels for the main frame of said truck relieved of the load of saidmain and lifting frames by the action of said presser foot,

18. In a lift truck of the class described, 'a main frame, a loadlifting frame, lifting means on said main framje for elevating said loadlifting frame, a presser foot for said load lifting frame, means wherebythe lifting means separates said presser foot from said vload liftingframe and forces said foot against the ground to support said loadlifting frame for elevating movement by said lifting means, supportingwheels for the main frame of said truck, meansrfor moving said wheels toa point under the load lifting frame when said load lifting frame iselevated relatively to said presser foot, and means supported by saidmoving wheels for taking the load of said lifting frame when said frameis lowered from an elevated position relatively to said presser foot.

19. In a lift truck ofthe class described, a main frame, a load liftingframe', lifting means on said main frame for elevating said load liftingframe, a presser foot for said load lifting frame,

by said lifting means, and a fluid check between said presser foot andload liftingframe for ab: sorbing the downward movement of said loadlifting frame.

20. lIn a lift truck of the class described, a main frame, a presserfoot and load lifting frame supported through said main frame, liftingmechanism of the type operated by a lifting lever carried by said mainframe, means whereby said lifting mechanism is inter-connected betweensaid presser foot and said load lifting frame for vlifting said loadlifting frame by separating it from said presser foot while said presserfoot is maintained against the ground. i

21. In a lift truck of the class described, a main frame, a presser footand load lifting frame supported through said main frame, a spring formaintaining said load lifting frame and presser foot in a predeterminedposition with the presser foot oi the ground, said presser foot beingmovable against the ground in opposition to said spring when a load. isapplied to said load lifting frame, lifting mechanism of the typeoperated by a lifting lever carried by said main frame, means wherebysaid lifting mechanism is interconnected between said presser footand'said lead lifting frame (for lifting said load lifting frame byseparating it from said presser foot while said presser foot ismaintained against the ground.

22. In a lift truck of the class described, a main frame, rearsupporting wheels for said main frame, forward supporting wheels forsaid main frame mountedfor longitudinal movement relatively to said mainframe when said wheels are relieved of the load of said main fram'ewhereby to change the wheel base lof the truck, and lifting means forsoirelieving the said forward supporting. wheels of the weight of saidmain frame.

23. -In a .lift truck ofthe class described, a main 4frame, rearsupporting wheels for said main relieved of the load of said main framewhereby to change the wheel base of the truck, a lifting frameoverhanging the forwardend of the truck, and means for lifting saidlifting frame together with said main frame relatively to said forwardsupporting wheels whereby'to so relieve the said wheels of the weight ofsaid main frame.y

24. In a lift truck of the class described, a main framef'rearsupporting wheels for` said mainframe, forward supporting wheels forsaid main frame'mounted for longitudinal movement relatively to saidmain frame when said wheels are relieved of the load of said mainframewhereby to change the wheel base of the truck, a lifting frameoverhanging the forward end'of the truck, means for lifting said liftingframe together with said main frame relatively to said forwardsupporting wheels whereby to so relieve the said wheels of the weight'of said main frame. and means for moving said wheels longitudinallythereafter under the said overhanging lifting frame to support the saidlifting frame when it is lowered by saidlifting means.

25. In a lift truck of the class described, a main frame, rearsupporting wheels for said main frame, forward supporting wheels forsaid main frame mounted for longitudinal movement relatively to saidmain frame when said wheels are relieved of the load of said main framewhereby to change the wheel base of the truck, and lifting meansengaging the ground for so relieving the said forward supporting wheelsof the weight of said main frame.

26. In a lift truck of the class described, a

`main frame, rear supporting wheels for said mainframe, forwardsupporting wheels for said main frame mounted for longitudinal movementrelatively to said main frame vwhen said wheels are relieved of the loadof said main frame whereby to change the wheel base of the truck, alifting frame overhanging the forward end of the truck, means engagingthe ground for lifting said lifting frame together with said main framerelatively to said forward supporting wheels whereby to so relieve thesaid wheels of the weight of said -main frame, and meansi for movingsaid wheels longitudinally thereafter under the said overhanging liftingframe to support the said lifting frame when it is lowered by saidlifting means.

GEORGE QUAYLE.

